Faults:

4 starters, 2 head gaskets, 3 water pumps, 3 alternators, 3 radiators, 3 AC compressors, 2 AC/ heater blowers, 1 heater core, 2 hydraulic brake actuator replacements, rear A/C repair, 3 injector pumps, split dash, cruise control, 3 rear main seals, oil pan seal, 4 wheel drive transfer case, glow plugs, glow plug relay.

Replaced motor mounts.

Front end work.

Exterior paint failing, especially on top-rear, hood, and hood air intake cowling.

Currently parked outside and waxed annually.

Won't start and suspect ignition switch, solenoid and or starter (again).

General Comments:

A great person and cargo carrier with an average 16 MPG. However being big and heavy, this vehicle does require lots of maintenance and it is frequent and expensive. If you need a high torque engine for hauling (forget climbing steep hills without this jumping constantly into passing gear) then this is the vehicle for you. Mine has a 3.72 rear end and a Powerglide 3 speed transmission, which adds to the loaded hill climbing saga.

While the mileage is low for a diesel, I couldn't stand the worry of something breaking down on every 1,000 mile trip, so it's retired to around town driving with tow insurance coverage and all the spare parts and manuals in my garage. Bought this off a Hertz rental lot for $16,000 in 1985 with 4,000 miles. Diesels were hot and hard to get at less than MSRP. I believe the listed price - new, was around $22,000.

Faults:

Distributor failed and brake caliper seized.

General Comments:

AWESOME truck. Bought it as a winter beater for $500. Was one of the best trucks I've EVER owned.

Its body was like a rusty old cheese grater... opened the door one day, and all I got was the handle. Leaked from every gasket but the intake and heads.

Needed a starter when I towed it to the junk yard... I had to, it was so physically unsafe to drive anymore. SOLID engine and transmission.

I've owned an 87 Chevy R10 2WD and it was awesome as well.

Getting ready to purchase a 1984 Suburban for $700. Very solid for its age and runs just as well as the last one! Handled well, towed magnificently. Sorely underrated towing capability.

Faults:

I've replaced the transmission twice. First time at about 220,000 miles, second time at 310,000 miles.

I rebuilt the rear axle assembly. Common problem at 120,000 miles.

I've replaced the radiator twice.

I installed an aftermarket intake manifold because the original one was plugged with soot from the heat riser. Somewhere about 200,000 miles.

The air-conditioner just quite - again.

The front seat upholstery wore out at about 290,000 miles. I replace the whole seat.

The headliner got wet when the roof leaked at the luggage rack mounts a approx.200,000 miles. Shortly after I fixed the leak the headliner disintegrated.

The engine is getting tired, but it is still original.

The body is finally getting some rather serious rust. The bottom of the back doors, the bottom of the tail gate, and the rear quarter panels are suffering the most.

General Comments:

In nearly 300,000 miles, the car has only stranded me 3 times - both times the transmission failed and once when the starter motor failed. Otherwise, it has always gotten me to a place to fix it. I have used it as a camper, pulled large loads, help dozens of people move, driven through most of the states in the US of A, and it has done it all in style! A wonderful car. Fuel economy is it's biggest downfall. Mine is a 2 wheel drive and it gets about 12 miles/gallon (5 km/L).